Each year as seasons change and the temperature drops, we receive an influx of calls regarding turbo yeast temperature during fermentation. Many hobby distillers keep their equipment in their garage or basement, which become especially cold during the winter months. Although different types of turbo yeast require different temperature ranges for optimal fermentation, your turbo yeast will likely require a higher temperature than your garage or basement sustains throughout winter. You can certainly purchase a Brew Belt or FermHeater, but there are also some DIY methods you can try.

Don’t let the cool weather affect your next batch.

Try this trick for keeping your turbo yeast warm even when fermenting through the coldest winter nights: Start your fermentation near 100° and wrap your container in a small blanket or towel. It’s so active at the start of fermentation that insulating it in this way will help keep the existing heat locked in and keep the temperature up. Additionally, if you’re fermenting in a garage or basement where the floor is stone or concrete, you’ll want to keep your container off the ground to prevent it from absorbing the cold. Elevating it by using some 2x4s with blankets is a simple way to offer some insulation against the cold, hard concrete.

Final Notes

One, make sure that you still check the temperature regularly because the heat could actually increase and become too warm. Two, remember to use your common sense: This method is not fail-proof. If your garage or basement is not insulated at all and the temperature there is in the 40s, this may not be enough to keep the turbo yeast as warm as it needs to be. Just keep in mind that the colder it is, the harder it will be to keep the temperature up. Happy Fermenting!